City Power drives free basic electricity registration in Alexandra on Mandela Day
In Alexandra, where residents often express concerns about electricity costs, which weigh heavy on households, and electricity theft undermining infrastructure, City Power used Mandela Day to drive access to free basic electricity, offering on-site registration to residents in need.
City Power marked Mandela Day with a focused public service intervention at the Itlhokomeleng Home for the Aged and Disabled in Alexandra, directing eligible residents toward the free basic electricity (FBE) programme. In a community where many impoverished families face rising electricity costs and resort to unsafe connections, the outreach addressed a critical gap in service delivery.
According to City Power’s general manager in the Department of Public Relations and Communication Isaac Mangena, the FBE initiative offers 50kWh of free electricity per month to qualifying low-income households, including pensioners, the unemployed, and those earning below R7 503.01.
Read more: City Power marks Mandela Day with an outreach in Alexandra
It also waives the R200 monthly service and network charge for users on the residential low tariff. “The FBE registration desk was active during the event, assisting eligible residents with on-the-spot registration for the programme,” Mangena noted.
Electricity affordability remains a pressing issue in Alexandra, and illegal connections continue to pose risks to both safety and infrastructure, underscoring the importance of expanding access to legal, subsidised supply.
Previously, following City Power’s disconnection drive in River Park on July 2, the utility urged customers with unauthorised connections and bypassed meters to come forward to be normalised during the FBE programme, which runs until July 31.
“The initiative aims to reduce electricity theft and improve revenue collection,” Mangena shared. “Damaged or tampered meters will be replaced, free of charge with no penalties. Failure to take advantage of this opportunity will result in penalty fees between R14 000 for single-phase and R30 000 for three-phase, in addition to reconnection fees.”
Other activities during the Mandela Day Event at Itlhokomeleng included blanket and T-shirt donations, winter cleaning efforts, and a community-produced educational play promoting awareness of the FBE programme. Lunch was served to residents, and staff spent the day engaging face-to-face with beneficiaries.
“At the event, City Power reaffirmed its commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable communities,” Mangena concluded. “The Mandela Day initiative served as a reminder of the power of collective action, with the entity using the day to demonstrate how small acts of service can bring dignity, comfort, and lasting impact to those in need.”
Residents can continue to register for the FBE programme at City Power Service Delivery Centres, City of Johannesburg regional offices, and pop-up sites at malls, taxi ranks, door-to-door campaigns, and community imbizos.
Required documents include:
• ID,
• City Power prepaid meter number,
• Proof of income,
• Proof of address,
• Proof of SASSA grant (if applicable),
• Latest 3 months bank statements, and
• CoJ rates and taxes account.
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